Was Jack Kirby ever considered for a run on Superman?

[Hypestyle]

Was Jack Kirby ever considered for a run on Superman?

Just wondering. It could have been cool, concurrent with his New Gods work in the 1970s. Whether "Action Comics" or the "Superman" book (or, yet another?) it could have had lots of bronze age fun for Clark, Lois and the rest of the cast.

[MajorHoy]

Was Jack Kirby ever considered for a run on Superman?

Just wondering. It could have been cool, concurrent with his New Gods work in the 1970s. Whether "Action Comics" or the "Superman" book (or, yet another?) it could have had lots of bronze age fun for Clark, Lois and the rest of the cast.

You mean besides his stint on Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen when he was doing his other Fourth World stuff?

[Hypestyle]

You mean besides his stint on Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen when he was doing his other Fourth World stuff?

I was thinking more along the lines of having full access to all the Superman strip characters. Kind of like he came back to Marvel and did Black Panther.. but maybe if he had a six-year run on Superman.. hmm...

[Johnny Thunders!]

I’m not sure but his ideas with the character have sure stuck around. Morgan Edge, The New Gods , Cadmus,,, I prefer his “Superman in Supertown” over “Must there be a Superman.” My guess is that Curt Swan had the art duties locked up. I think it’s one of the great missed opportunities like Steve Gerber on a run. In my version of Luciens Library, there is a huge Kirby run next to the Alan Moore Garcia Lopez volumes of Superman and Action.

[kingaliencracker]

Considering DC changed Superman's appearance in the comics Kirby drew him, I'm going to say probably not.

[Vordan]

Don’t think so, especially given how house style obsessed DC was. Can’t see them allowing Kirby to handle their flagship character given how much of a trailblazer he was and how conservative DC was back then.

[Robotman]

Considering DC changed Superman's appearance in the comics Kirby drew him, I'm going to say probably not.

Erasing Jack Kirby's drawings of Superman. Still one of the greatest affronts in comics history.

Kirby often did not like to use characters that he didn't have a hand in creating, so I'm not sure he would have been happy being thrown directly into the regular Superman monthly where Supes' supporting cast and villains may have been expected to appear. On the Jimmy Olsen book he could still write a Superman comic but create his own world without feeling pressure to adhere to the general/traditional narrative.

So having him on the Jimmy Olsen title was kind of a win-win for DC. They get The King to write their flagship character but allow him the freedom to throw out some crazy new ideas.